January 5, 1975
Siege of Phuoc Long
The NV attack on Phuoc Long starts the 3rd Indochina War
Database labels: Siege of Phuoc Long
Vietnam War year hub
Vietnam War in 1975: Timeline, Events, Battles and People
The World History Database contains 47 Vietnam/Indochina records dated 1975. After consolidating near-identical rows that describe the same dated event, this year hub presents 42 distinct chronology entries. Frequently represented events include Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu, Invasion of Vietnam, Siege of Saigon, Khmer Rouge, Surrender of Saigon. Frequently represented people include Nguyen van Thieu, Gerald Ford, Van Tien Dung, Pol Pot, Vo Nguyen Giap.
47 database rows42 consolidated events
Key events
Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu, Invasion of Vietnam, Siege of Saigon, Khmer Rouge, Surrender of Saigon, Capture of Phnom Penh, Pathet Lao Victory
People
Nguyen van Thieu, Gerald Ford, Van Tien Dung, Pol Pot, Vo Nguyen Giap, Duong Van Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane
Places
Saigon, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Washington, Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam, Vientiane
Chronology for 1975
March 10, 1975
Siege of Ban Me Thuot
The north make a succesful attack on Ban Me Thuot in the central highlands
Database labels: Siege of Ban Me Thuot
March 11, 1975
Invasion of Vietnam
Thieu decides to abandon all of the highlands, except the Ban Me Thuot region. Leads to a speedy collapse of resistance in the south & an end to the war
Database labels: Invasion of Vietnam
March 15, 1975
Invasion of Vietnam
Meets with his commanders at Camranh & orders withdrawal from the Northern Provinces
Database labels: Invasion of Vietnam
March 22, 1975
Capture of Hue
Hue falls to the Communists
Database labels: Capture of Hue
March 30, 1975
Capture of Danang
Danang falls to the Communists
Database labels: Capture of Danang
March 31, 1975
Advance toward Saigon Ordered
Ordered by the Politburo in Hanoi to push toward Saigon
Database labels: Advance toward Saigon Ordered
March 1975
Spring Offensive Support
Supports the final military campaign that leads to reunification
Database labels: Spring Offensive Support
April 1, 1975
Ho Chi Minh Campaign
Commands the final North Vietnamese offensive toward Saigon
Database labels: Ho Chi Minh Campaign
April 10, 1975
Vietnam Aid Appeal
Asks Congress for emergency aid for South Vietnam
Database labels: Vietnam Aid Appeal
April 11, 1975
Siege of Phnom Penh
The Khmer Rouge attack Phnom Penh
Database labels: Khmer Rouge; Siege of Phnom Penh · 2 related database rows consolidated
April 12, 1975
Invasion of Kampuchea
The American Ambassador & his staff are evacuated by helicopter from Phnom Penh
Database labels: Invasion of Kampuchea
April 17, 1975
Capture of Phnom Penh
The Khmer Rouge capture Phnom Penh
Database labels: Capture of Phnom Penh; Khmer Rouge · 2 related database rows consolidated
April 21, 1975
Brief Presidency
Becomes president after Nguyen Van Thieu resigns
Database labels: Brief Presidency
April 21, 1975
Capture of Saigon
Captures the last South Vietnamese defense line before Saigon
Database labels: Capture of Saigon
April 21, 1975
Provisional Revolutionary Government
The President of South Vietnam is forced to resign accusing the United States of betrayal. The communist Provisional Revolutionary Government (PRG) has said President Thieu must step down before any peace talks with Saigon could begin.
Database labels: Provisional Revolutionary Government; Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu · 2 related database rows consolidated
April 21, 1975
Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu
Says US Secretary of State Kissinger had tricked him into signing the Paris Peace Agreement two years ago, promising military aid which failed to materialise.
Database labels: Paris Peace Accords; Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu · 2 related database rows consolidated
April 21, 1975
Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu
Nine days after Nguyen Van Thieus resignation, the Vietnam war ends with the fall of Saigon
Database labels: Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu
April 21, 1975
Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu
On TV & radio address, outgoing President Nguyen Van Thieu says his forces failed to stop the advance of the Vietcong because of lack of funds promised to him by the USA.
Database labels: Resignation of Nguyen van Thieu
April 21, 1975
Resignation of Nguyen Van Thieu
Resigns as South Vietnam collapses under the final offensive
Database labels: Resignation of Nguyen Van Thieu
April 21, 1975
Siege of Saigon
North Vietnamese troops have surrounded Saigon and military expert are predicting the city will fall within weeks if not days. 5 divisions of South Vietnamese infantry troops, a division of US Rangers & 2 brigades of US Marines in position around Saigon are outnumbered by more than 2 ro 1
Database labels: Siege of Saigon
April 23, 1975
Invasion of Vietnam
Speaking in New Orleans says that the war is "finished"
Database labels: Invasion of Vietnam
April 29, 1975
Death of Charles McMahon
Killed in a rocket attack at Tan Son Nhut during the final evacuation period
Database labels: Death of Charles McMahon; Death of Darwin Judge · 2 related database rows consolidated
April 29, 1975
Final Attack on Saigon
Commands one of the main forces attacking Saigon
Database labels: Final Attack on Saigon
April 29, 1975
Saigon Evacuation
Oversees the final US embassy evacuation from Saigon
Database labels: Saigon Evacuation
April 29, 1975
Siege of Saigon
Nine days after Nguyen Van Thieus resignation, the Vietnam war ends with the fall of Saigon
Database labels: Siege of Saigon
April 30, 1975
End of US Involvement
Faces the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War
Database labels: End of US Involvement
April 30, 1975
Fall of Saigon Response
Sees North Vietnam victory as a success for a Soviet backed ally
Database labels: Fall of Saigon Response
April 30, 1975
Postwar Control
Helps consolidate communist control in the South after Saigon falls
Database labels: Postwar Control
April 30, 1975
Postwar Provisional Government
Represents the revolutionary government after the collapse of South Vietnam
Database labels: Postwar Provisional Government
April 30, 1975
Reunification Policy
Supports policy toward national reunification after the end of the war
Database labels: Reunification Policy
April 30, 1975
Siege of Saigon
Ambassador Graham Martin and 7100 US & SV personnel are evacuated
Database labels: Siege of Saigon
April 30, 1975
Surrender of Saigon
Orders South Vietnamese forces to surrender as Saigon falls
Database labels: Surrender of Saigon
April 30, 1975
Surrender of Saigon
Orders South Vietnamese forces to surrender
Database labels: Surrender of Saigon
April 30, 1975
Surrender Reception
Receives the surrender of Duong Van Minh at the presidential palace
Database labels: Surrender Reception
April 30, 1975
Victory
North Vietnam achieves victory as Saigon falls
Database labels: Victory
April 30, 1975
Victory Assessment
Celebrates communist victory after decades of war
Database labels: Victory Assessment
May 1975
Exile of Nguyen van Thieu
Thieu escapes to begin a life in exile, in London, then in Boston
Database labels: Exile of Nguyen van Thieu
August 23, 1975
Pathet Lao Victory
Pathet Lao forces complete their takeover of Vientiane after communist victories in Indochina
Database labels: Pathet Lao Victory
1975
Final Offensive Decision
Approves the final campaign to defeat South Vietnam
Database labels: Final Offensive Decision
1975
Central Highlands Collapse
Commands South Vietnamese II Corps during the collapse after Ban Me Thuot
Database labels: Central Highlands Collapse
1975
Final Offensive
Commands communist forces in the southern theater during the final offensive
Database labels: Final Offensive
Explore related Vietnam War guides
Sources and historical verification
This authority page consolidates World History Database records into a readable chronology. The database rows are research-index entries; important claims should be checked against primary documents and specialist histories.
Provenance
This year page is generated from World History Database records for 1975. Near-identical rows sharing date and place context are consolidated for display while the original database remains unchanged. Last reviewed 2026-10-06.